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Saints vs Falcons to start the season for the second consecutive year, what better way to start the NFL season. One of the NFL's most heated, and underrated rivalries stands out in a lineup of outstanding Week 1 games.
Once again, all season and postseason, Wallace Delery of Canal Street Chronicles, will be presenting you with every game on the NFL schedule along with my pick for each game. We've all waited a very long time for this season to begin, so here we go.
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WEEK 1
Thursday, September 4th - NFL Kickoff 2014
Billed as the rematch of the 2012 "Fail Mary" game, Green Bay vs Seattle is, on it's own, a tremendous matchup. Seattle's defense against Green Bay's offense will be the marquee matchup here, but it's the Seattle offense versus the Green Bay defense that will win the game for the Seahawks on the night they unveil their Super Bowl XLVIII Championship banner. And yes, the 12th Man™ will be unbearable.
Pick: Seahawks
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Sunday, September 7th - Early Games
This will not be a game to watch for exceptional quarterback play, but Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota rushing attack should carry the day in St. Louis.
Pick: Vikings
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Pittsburgh will have to wait until Week 6 to get their hands on Johnny Manziel, so Brian Hoyer will have to do. Pittsburgh will begin one of the AFC's more surprising seasons with a win here.
Pick: Steelers
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Philly's explosive offense should start off the season with a bang against an overmatched Jacksonville squad. The Jags' countdown to start Blake Bortles begins here.
Pick: Eagles
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Anyone remember the "Heidi Game"? Hell, anyone remember Heidi? Nevermind. The Jets begin their march to mediocrity with a home win over an Oakland team looking to make some strides this year.
Pick: Jets
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Cincy, while strong on defense, just seemed less dangerous on the road than at home last season. It wouldn't be surprising to see that trend continue this year. The Ravens, while not great, will be good this year.
Pick: Ravens
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I may not be as high on the Bears as many people are this season, but I am as down on the Bills as most. Buffalo's long season starts here in Chicago.
Pick: Bears
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Already in Week 1 it's hard to tell which of these two teams have a better situation at quarterback. The Houston defense will secure victory for the home team in this one.
Pick: Texans
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Kansas City may not have as much of a surprising season as they did last year, but they will catch a good opponent to start at home in this one.
Pick: Chiefs
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It's been over a decade since New England has lost a season opener, history says pick the Patriots. History also says it'll be close, Miami just falls short.
Pick: Patriots
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Saints at Falcons - Game of the Week
The good news for Atlanta? All-Pro franchise wide receiver Julio Jones is back and healthy for 2014, that's where the good news ends. For New Orleans, the ultimate goal this season is to win Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, but the first step is to win the NFC South title. Beating Atlanta, in their house, is the perfect beginning to the Saints 2014 season. Should Keenan Lewis keep Julio Jones in check, the Saints will handle Atlanta, but in this rivalry all football sense is cast aside. No matter what the fate of the 2014 Falcons is, one thing is for certain, they will fight New Orleans with all they have. Unfortunately for Atlanta, it will not be enough, Saints win.
Pick: Saints (WHO DAT!)
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Sunday, September 7th - Late Games
Tampa will ride the wave of renewed expectation under a new and improved coaching staff, while beginning Carolina on their path to third place in the NFC South. Tampa can start just about any quarterback against this Panthers secondary and look good. It will be up to the Bucs' offensive line to handle the Carolina front seven, and they will in this game.
Pick: Buccaneers
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Hey, Tony Romo, how's the back? Well, you'll really need to watch it in this one. Those who tout the demise of the San Francisco 49ers are (unfortunately) one season premature. This year will be their last big run, and it starts with cracking their 80's/90's rival.
Pick: 49ers
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Sunday Night Football
Denver will begin the season on a mission to erase the jarring memory of being decimated in the Super Bowl. Indy will take their lumps now before turning the tables on Denver come playoff time.
Pick: Broncos
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Monday, September 8th - Monday Night Football
Detroit may be one of the NFL's biggest enigmas coming into this season. Neither a freefall into mediocrity or a return to double digit wins would be the least bit surprising from this team. The Giants on the other hand, are my pick to be one of the NFC's surprise teams in 2014. As unsurprising as their 2013 floundering was, their return to the playoffs in 2014 should be equally unsurprising. Giants win an aerial show in Motown.
Pick: Giants
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This will be the season that having Carson Palmer as their starter will catch up to Arizona. The Cardinals will turn in one of the NFL's most disappointing seasons in 2014. Philip Rivers will continue his remarkable return from the edge this season.
Pick: Chargers
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That's how I see it, tell us how you see Week 1 of the NFL Season unfolding. Leave your comments and insight below. Finally, we're back to football! WHO DAT!!!